Local Area Firefighters Answer Fire Call

Three firefighters out of Garden City are assisting the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection in containing fires caused by more than 30,000 lightning strikes.

GCFD Firefighters LJay Geist, Aiden Miller, and Chris Talmadge boarded a plane to Tok, Alaska Friday, July 28. Together, the Wildland Team trio joined forces with five personnel from the Kansas Forest Service and three personnel from the City of Olathe Fire Department to create the Kansas Fire Module.

“The state of Alaska specifically requested our module, providing us with a massive opportunity for experience and growth,”said a spokesperson on the Garden City Fire Department Facebook page.

Since departing Southwest Kansas, the module has sent daily updates to headquarters.

As soon as the airplane touched down, the Kansas Fire Module got to work.

Helpful hands from across the country started tackling fires and performing patrols on the ground and in the air. Helitack crews have been utilized to transport firefighters and equipment, cutting the response time. A forestry truck was granted to the Kansas crew for the duration of their deployment as well.

Miller spent his first assignment at Sand Lake, returning to base three days later for his first warm meal. Giest spent four days in the mountains.

“I’m on a solid crew!”, Giest said.

In the more recent update, GCFD Chief Irsik spoke with Geist and Talmadge.

“Overall, the guys are excited about all the things they’re learning, and morale is high,” said the spokesperson for GCDP.

Kansas Forest Service’s crew boss spoke highly of the men from Garden City, commending their efforts in the fight against Alaskan fires.

At this time, it is unknown when the Kansas Fire Module will end their assignments and return.